Please go to my fundraising site to donate to Starfish Malawi and Macmillan Cancer Support: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/pauljeffrey

I live in Hawkhurst, Kent near Clive Dewing who introduced me to the expedition. I'm married with two children - my daughter is about to start her 4th year at university, and my son is is about to start his 1st year after a gap year.

I'm keen on the outdoors, love walking the dog or mountain biking locally. We've recently been trekking in the mountains in the Torres del Pine national park in Patagonia while visiting my daughter in Chile which was great fun. In the North of Chile we went up to 4800m in the desert region, although it was a quick visit by 4x4. Not many real hills in Kent or Sussex, so to train for Chile we had a few walks along the Seven Sisters to Beachy Head near Eastbourne.

I've worked for Thomson Reuters in Canary Wharf for more years than I wish to admit, and this has allowed me to travel to interesting places around the world, including a stint living in Hong Kong when the children were small.

Date of Trip: October 2014

I see this climb as a personal challenge - mentally and physically - with the opportunity to meet new people and widen my perspectives on the world. Plus there is the opportunity to contribute to the Starfish Malawi cause which will bring valuable benefits for children in Malawi and the UK. My other chosen charity is Macmillan Nurses, who do a great job looking after so many people at home in their hour of need.